Italy Looks To Raise Museum Ticket Prices So Pesky Climate Art Protests Can Stop

The art world continues to reel from the continuous attacks on famed works, most recently when climate activists doused an Andy Warhol-painted BMW in flour. 

Before that, others have poured black paint on Gustav Klimt’s painting, glued their heads to Girl With A Pearl Earring, and even caked a King Charles III wax figurine. 

Now, in a bid to deter these protesters from targeting other exhibitions, Italy’s Cultural Minister has warned that the country could potentially increase museum admission prices to fund additional security measures.

According to the Italian publication Adnkronos, Minister of Culture Gennaro Sangiuliano said that the increasingly common attacks are a “detriment of our artistic and cultural heritage,” and have forced authorities to consider a higher level of protection in museums and galleries. 

While it was not specified if all museums within the nation will be equipped with these extra measures, the Minister revealed the first step would be to protect all paintings with glass barriers, which would naturally incur “considerable cost” for the ministry. 

In addition, as per Robb Report, German public prosecutor Sebastian Thiele is looking into whether the state can go after climate activists for “property damage,” such as when protesters threw mashed potatoes at a Claude Monet painting last month. 

Most of the time, the artworks themselves aren’t harmed, though frames and the surrounding wall, floor, or ceiling may be unintended victims of these targeted attacks. If prosecuted, the protesters could face a fine or up to three years in prison. 

[via Robb Report and ARTnews, cover image via Davide Montalenti | Dreamstime.com]